AK magazine stuck.

[the naked prophet]

I bought a bunch of the CDNN "used" AK magazines, the ones that were $8.99 for use in my WASR-10.

The three magazines that I had already worked great.

Of the six magazines from CDNN, 5 looked to be in new condition, with the factory grease all over and no carbon or dirt from being used. One was well-used and except for the worn finish (in the pretty swooping lines of the exposed ribbed metal) was in excellent condition (and much easier to clean without all that grease).

One of the five new-looking magazines locks in place just fine, and even fires perfectly. However, it takes both hands to push the magazine release lever, and once that's done I have to lean on the magazine to get it out of the well (while holding the lever).

But that's only a problem with the one magazine. There doesn't appear to be anything different about it (except the mark I put on the floorplate). What's going on?

 

[MisterPX]

How's the catch on the mag look? You may get away with filing it up a little.

 

[Bane]

The "locking tabs" (tab on the back of the mag that locks into the mag release) on AK mags vary in thickness. Compare the "bad" mag to your goods ones and you should be able to see a thickness difference. File the locking tab down little by little until it is easy to release.

 

[the naked prophet]

I don't think it's the locking tab, because even when the release lever is down, it takes all my weight to break the magazine loose, when the locking tab isn't touching anything at all.

I'll check though.

...

Nope, it is in fact slightly thinner than some of the other locking tabs.

 

[Kor]

I've seen this before(though not as bad) with my SAR-2(AK-74-type): There is a flat area on the spine of the magazine directly ABOVE the locking tab. On some new magazines, this area stands proud enough to bear against a cross-pin in the receiver, at the rear of the magazine well. If you field-strip the rifle and insert a mag, you can see this easily.

The cure is to file down that area on your "problem-child" magazines until they latch and release easily.

 

[the naked prophet]

Cool, I'll try that and see if it works. Thanks.